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Winning Pickleball with the Third Shot Drop

We explain why the third shot drop is the best antidote to a well-struck return and give you some tips on how to perfect this essential shot.

What is a third shot drop? The serve is the first shot, the return is the second, hence the numerical designation of the following shot: the third. The “drop” aspect refers to how you want the ball to fly, or more specifically, where the shot lands. The target of the third shot drop is the NVZ, or kitchen. If the third shot is hit with pace, it is referred to as a third shot drive.

When it comes to the technique of hitting groundstrokes, volleys, overheads and lobs, tennis, table tennis and pickleball are very similar. However, there is one shot and shot strategy unique to the sport of pickleball: the third shot drop!

Pickleball player hitting a third shot drop playing doubles

Although tennis players use the drop shot, which is very similar to a third shot, it is still considered to be an exception to the rule shot in tennis, and not a "meat and potatoes" decision. Using the drop shot in tennis too much will probably inhibit progress, while NOT using the third shot drop enough in pickleball will inhibit progress!

Like an effective return of serve, owning a reliable third shot drop is primary to playing pickleball well. If properly executed, the third shot drop extends points and will quickly propel a player beyond an intermediate skill level. Compared to a third shot drive, the third shot drop is a more thoughtful shot and is probably the best way for the server or serving team to construct and win points. A drive off of the return too often creates a "do or die" shot circumstance.


Why is the Third Shot Drop So Important?

Side-out scoring only allows points to be accrued on serve, and a precise third shot drop is the best way to erode or neutralize the three distinct advantages a returning team has:

  • One advantage is that the serving team cannot hit the return out of the air and must wait for it to bounce.
  • A second is that the returning team begins each point with one player positioned forward of the baseline near the kitchen line.
  • There is a brief, but third advantage: A properly struck return allows the returner to follow in behind the shot, and join their teammate at the net before the third shot is hit.

What is an Effective Third Shot?

This question probably does not need much explanation because players quickly realize what happens after a lousy or great third shot drop is hit during a point. In fact it is such a point advancing or ending shot, with zero middle ground, that many players choose not to utilize or attempt to improve their third shot proficiency.

A good third shot drop is definitely a Goldilocks shot if there ever were one. Ideally, the third shot drop should consistently land in the kitchen and not bounce excessively high. Executed properly the third shot drop thwarts the potential of an offensive response and helps neutralize the advantages the returner or returning team has.

There is both style and strategy at stake when it comes to hitting your third shot with topspin, slice or a basic no-spin push. However, the shape and speed of this shot is probably more important. An ideal flight pattern for a third shot drop is where the ball slowly flies 1 to 3 feet above the top of the net. From there, the shape and speed of the third shot should allow the ball to drop into the kitchen. Whether you push the ball softly or shape the shot with spin of some kind, the ball tucking down into the kitchen without bouncing very high is critical to earning points.


How to Improve Your Third Shot Drop

In general, isolating the third shot drop and practicing it is the best and quickest way to becoming proficient using it during point play. Specifically, drilling with one player at net, just behind the NVZ line, and the other at the baseline will vastly improve the quality of your third shot drop. Typically, the person at net feeds the first ball, but we suggest mixing it up. The player at the kitchen practices trying to prevent the baseline player from advancing forward by keeping their volleys deep. The player at the baseline is then repeatedly practicing a soft touch and learning how to hit several third shot attempts in a row.

Third Shot Drop Drill: 7 Eleven Game

Like Chris Haworth, who is a world class professional player, a lot of us here at Pickleball Warehouse want to elevate our game. And although we may never play at Chris' level, we can all benefit from the same game that helps make him the on-court beast that he is. Referred to as 7 Eleven, to begin either the person at net or the baseline can feed the first shot. Due to the advantage the player positioned at the net has, they must score 11 points to win the game. The player at the baseline tries to get to the net off of a single or multiple third shot drop attempts and only has to accrue 7 points for the win. The game is a lot of fun and challenges the player at the baseline to figure out multiple ways to successfully approach and finish points at net.


How Does Wind Affect the Third Shot?

When you play outdoors, you have to deal with the wind and learn how to make adjustments playing in it. When it comes to hitting effective third shots in windy conditions, trial and error, situational awareness and some luck is necessary. That said, if it is truly windy (15 mph or more), we find using spin is the best way to limit the random effect the wind can have on a pickleball. Pushing the third ball, with little or no spin applied, works great indoors or when there is less wind outside because you can get that shot to fade and fall almost straight down as it crosses the net. However, without some spin, the pickleball can be bullied around in the wind, making it difficult to predict shot depth and location.


In Conclusion

There is no official rule of the game stating that you have to hit soft third shot drops to advance toward the net. You can blast or feather your way to the promised land (the kitchen line and podium). To figure out what works best, we advocate exploring every option available. After exhausting every method, we are confident the conclusion will be that a softer third shot drop is the one that troubles the returning team the most and gives the serving team the best odds at scoring points.

The sport of pickleball is still young, with new shots being created and new strategies to counter or deal with them. One shot that is not likely to fade is the third shot drop. Unless ball construction and/or the rule about having to let the return bounce before hitting it changes, the third shot will always be an effective strategy. Considering the somewhat narrow margins between a great and lousy third shot drop, it would be a stretch to say that it is a low-risk shot, and it is definitely worth the effort required to improve it. A reliable third shot drop is, without a doubt, a staple for a winning pickleball strategy. For the serving team it sets up the rest of the point, rather than a shot that wins the point.

Mark

Mark is a PPR certified pickleball coach and Pickleball Warehouse playtester. Mark has been playing pickleball since the 1980s when his parents built a pickleball court in their backyard.